There's a hysterical blooper that can probably be found on youtube during the filming of a documentary by the Sci-Fi ("SyFy" - yuck) Network to celebrate, I believe the 25th anniversary of LIS.  Bill Mumy was talking with the Robot who made disparaging remarks about Dr. Smith and Jonathan Harris entered the scene, in character as Dr. Smith, arguing with the Robot.  He pulled out the power pack and the Robot dropped its arms, but even something more:  the claws fell off.  Both Mumy and Harris first had shocked expressions, but when the stage hands in the background broke into laughter, Harris said, using a really funny British accent:  "His f*ck*ng hands fell off!"  Mumy almost collapsed in laughter.

In the OS, the role of Dr. (also Colonel) Smith was to have him as a totally evil persona.  His character was added (along with the Robot - neither were in the original pilot) was added to create "tension" among the other characters to flesh them out.  (The pilot, which was only one hour long, was expanded through the first four episodes with newly shot scenes, including Dr. Smith and the Robot, interspersed throughout.)  After several attempts at killing the family, he was suppose to be killed off.  But Harris knew what side his bread was buttered - he had a good job, was actually paid more per episode than the other performers (because he was a "special guest star") and began to "lighten" the character to make him more palatable to children.  It worked; CBS kept him on and the lovable buffoon evolved.  LIS was originally designed as a hardcore science fiction adventure of a family trying to survive.  CBS picked it up instead of Star Trek, having first option.  It transitioned from being a serious sci-fi series to a neo-comedic fun fantasy.  By the second season, it also had to compete against the highly popular goofball Batman airing at the same time.  All seriousness was jettisoned, and instead we had the green-skinned Lorelei seducing Smith, intergalactic department store vending machines, knights in shining armor fighting dragons, and talking vegetables.  Some of the first season episodes were brilliant, including "My Friend, Mr. Nobody" and "Invaders from the Fifth Dimension."  The writing, direction, acting was remarkable.  But there were moments in the other two seasons.  One of my favorite lines came from Dr. Smith when he realized that he has ruined young Will's belief in magic:  "Dear, dear William.  Don't be in such a hurry to grow up.  It's really not all that worth it."

A re-imagining of LIS would be interesting if it's decided to keep Smith as a total villain. 

Gerard

The OS series was on ABC.  Then the '91 remake was on NBC.  Now it's owned by CBS.  WB tried its '04 remake and picked the wrong show and went into the dumps.  What's next?  Fox?  Imagine Homer Simpson or Bill O'Reilly playing Roger.

Gerard

Barnabas:  "Oh, a model of the Raging Queen, or whatever it's called.  It'll end up meaning nothing in this plotline, but it must mean something! Stay tuned tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.  Meanwhile, a world from our sponsor."

Gerard

I've never heard of it, either.  The only "whispering Smith" I know of in legend was an elderly man dying in a homeless shelter somewhere apparently in the midwest who stated he was Captain Smith from the Titanic and had survived, living a life of impoverished anonymity, hiding in seclusion.  It was the last thing he "whispered" to the caregiver before dying.

Gerard

This is fun, MB!  Like Uncle Roger, I tried to guess it was when the episode was filmed as opposed to when it was aired.  You said that's close.  I'm still thinking it has to do with showing one episode in color and seeing how it went and then eventually to broadcasting all in color. 

Gerard

Here's another attempt.  Didn't they have an episode in color initially (I think it was the one when Maggie walks into the Blue Whale after escaping from Wyndcliffe), and went back to black-and-white for a few more before the complete transition to color?

Gerard

Quentin:  "You like the outfit?  It's from the John-Boy Walton collection."

Gerard

Thanks, Gothic and CastleBee!  I can't understand why TPTB don't know about using cruises to raise money to not only pay for expenses, but even making a few $$$.  It's done all the time.  Even if no money is raised, negotiating for a "theme" at reduced rates would bring participates for a few dozen to several hundreds, bringing $$$ to the cruise line.  They always like that.  The price for the cruise, to pay the way for the stars (who certainly won't be accommodated in the cheapest, inside staterooms) is simply outrageous.  And I won't comment on what I think of RCCL's ships.  It wouldn't be prudent to use language like that here.

Gerard